Rep. Cole Votes for Responsible Budget

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Congressman Tom Cole voted today for a budget resolution that nearly freezes non-security discretionary spending and provides for a savings of $6.8 billion in mandatory spending over five years. The Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY 2007 (H. Con. Res. 376) passed in the House today, 218-210.

Congressman Cole originally voted for a budget offered by the Republican Study Committee that balances the budget by FY 2011 and proposes over $650 billion in savings over five years. When this budget failed to gain the support to pass in the House, he voted for H. Con. Res. 376.

"The bill passed today takes a very realistic approach to the budget by strengthening our nation's most critical programs, continuing successful economic policies, holding down spending, reforming government programs and reducing the deficit," Congressman Cole said. "It also takes a very responsible approach by budgeting for unforeseen emergencies and setting aside $50 billion for future war costs."

This legislation holds the line on discretionary spending, maintaining President Bush’s spending cap of $873 billion. The budget saves $6.8 billion in mandatory spending to reduce the deficit by highlighting common sense reforms that make programs more effective and efficient on behalf of American taxpayers.

The proposal includes reforms to ensure Congress better budgets for emergencies through a “rainy day” fund, providing $4.3 billion in budget authority to anticipate potential natural disasters. It also includes a $50 billion placeholder for war costs should additional supplemental funding be necessary.

"One of the most important parts of this bill is the effort to control mandatory spending that is currently growing faster than inflation and far beyond our means to sustain it," Congressman Cole added "We must continue to confront mandatory spending to make any substantial progress in reducing the deficit."

The Senate has already passed a budget. The differences between the Senate and House versions will now be ironed out in a conference committee.

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